LOS ANGELES — This isn’t advanced stats. This is pretty simple math.
The Knicks are 1-7 in games Iman Shumpert has missed this season, including Sunday’s debacle against Cleveland.
That’s the same player then-president Steve Mills tried to shop this season before the trade deadline. The same Shumpert who was all but traded to the Clippers for point guard Darren Collison before Shumpert sprained his left knee on the eve of the deadline.
The Post had reported Mills wanted to shut down Shumpert against New Orleans because he had an agreement in principle on the trade. One thing led to another and Shumpert played.
The Knicks defensive combo guard returned Tuesday against the Lakers at Staples Center after missing the Cavs game with what he termed “a virus.’’ He was still weakened at the morning shootaround Tuesday but decided to fight through it.
But Shumpert struggled, going scoreless in 19 minutes in the Knicks’ ugly 127-96 loss.
“He’s a big part of what we do,’’ Woodson said before the game. “What he brings to the table from a defensive standpoint. We could’ve used him the other night for sure.”
Though Shumpert still is not nailing his jumper consistently, he had been thriving in his new role off the bench with J.R. Smith now starting. The Post reported last month Shumpert didn’t savor his role as small forward in the smallball starting lineup.
According to a source, Knicks president Phil Jackson likes Shumpert because he’s defensive-minded and selfless.
Against the Cavs, who were without an injured Kyrie Irving, backup point guard Jarrett Jack led the Cleveland comeback with a season-high 31 points and 10 assists. Certainly Shumpert would have had a chance at stifling the noted Knick-killer.
“We missed him the other day especially the way we’ve been playing with him in there,’’ Carmelo Anthony said. “Hopefully he’ll be back with us but I’d rather him get healthy.’’
Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni was asked about the Knicks’ new plan for 2015 free agency and why the old plan when he was there didn’t reach its fruition.
“A certain guy went someplace else, I forgot who that was,’’ D’Antoni cracked, referring to LeBron James. ‘That kind of left us sideways a bit. I don’t have an hour show so everything’s good and I loved New York.’’
Center Tyson Chandler missed the morning shootaround to continue to attend to a family illness. Chander, whose mother lives in Los Angeles, flew to Los Angeles two weeks ago to be with his family.